Preble focuses on mental toughness
GREEN BAY – Dustin Gresen expects to have a stronger team this year.
The Green Bay Preble football coach saw his players make tremendous gains in the weight room in the offseason.
Where the second-year head coach feels they’ve made even bigger ones, though, wasn’t a result of using the bench press or squat rack.
“We’re definitely mentally stronger,” Gresen said.
“We’re trying to get that winning mentality back at Preble here. That’s our goal, and it comes back to the culture and our mental toughness. The seniors are harping down on mental toughness and confidence in themselves, that swagger. They need to believe in themselves because that was our issue last year. We just weren’t mentally tough.”
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The Hornets started off 6-0 last year to qualify for the WIAA Division 1 playoffs for an eighth straight year before ending the season with four consecutive losses.
The defense ranked second (181.0 yards per game) in the Fox River Classic Conference and allowed only 67.2 passing yards per game to rank first.
Junior Connor Shefchik, a first team all-FRCC defensive back, returns to lead the unit after making five of the team’s 11 interceptions.
“We’re basic, but we’re flying around and are fast with a chip on our shoulders,” said Gresen, who was the team’s defensive coordinator before becoming head coach. “I never try to keep it too complicated for these guys. That allows them to be football players and to make plays.”
Offensively, senior Ryan Buergi and junior Evan Holm are battling to replace Jack Dessart at quarterback.
Whoever wins the job will have the luxury of Andy Rodriquez protecting them at left tackle and Nick Renier to throw to. Rodriquez and Renier both received second team all-FRCC honors last year.
“We’ve had an offense installed for a full year, so we’re leaps and bounds ahead of where we were last year, offensively,” Gresen said. “We didn’t have to teach the basics. The kids already knew the basics and were up and running. I feel that gives a better jumpstart on the offense going into Game 1.”
G.B. Preble at a glance
Coach: Dustin Gresen, 2nd season, 6-4
Last year: 6-4
All-conference players to replace:
Anthony Veriha, WR, HM
Dalton Lardinois, TE, HM
Brian Boockmeier, DE, 2nd team
Devin Hartjes, DL, 2nd team
E.J. Reese, DB, 2nd team
Nick Hummel, K/P, 2nd team/HM
All conference players returning:
Nick Renier, WR, 2nd team
Andy Rodriquez, OL, 2nd team
Connor Shefchik, DB, 1st team
2019 Schedule
Aug. 22 De Pere
Aug. 29 Bay Port
Sept. 6 at Ashwaubenon
Sept. 13 Pulaski
Sept. 20 at Sheboygan North
Sept. 27 at G.B. Southwest
Oct. 4 G.B. Notre Dame
Oct. 11 Manitowoc
Oct. 18 at Sheboygan South